Rural Main St Index Climbs

For only the second time in 2025, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above growth neutral 50.0, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.

The region’s overall reading for December increased to 50.1, its highest reading since July 2025, and was up from November’s 44.0. 

For only the second time in the past 20 months, farmland prices expanded above growth neutral. The region’s farmland price index improved to 52.5, its highest level since April 2024, and was up from 43.2 in November.  

Bankers reported that farm loan delinquencies expanded by only 1.6% over the past six months. 

According to trade data from the International Trade Association (ITA), regional exports of agriculture goods and livestock for the first nine months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, fell 3.6%. Exports of agriculture and livestock for the nine-month period to the region’s major trading partner, Mexico, advanced by 2.1%, while the export of agriculture and livestock to China plummeted by 87.6%. 

Rural bankers remain pessimistic about economic growth for their area over the next six months.

Nebraska’s Rural Mainstreet Index for December increased to a regional high of 54.2 from 49.2 in November. The state’s farm and ranchland price index for December rose to 53.0 from November’s 46.6. Nebraska’s year-to-date exports of agricultural goods and livestock had a gain of 53.7%.

The December RMI for South Dakota rose to 48.4 from November’s 41.8. The state’s farm and ranchland price index climbed to 51.6 from 41.8 in November. South Dakota’s year-to-date exports of agricultural goods and livestock expanded to $124.2 million in 2025, up 2.7% from $120.9 million during the same period of 2024.